Page 71 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

Alikad gazed down at her, observing the tight grip she had on something in her hand. Upon closer inspection, he recognized it as his precious gem. With a sense of dismay, he watched as her fingers gradually slackened their hold, allowing the gem to slip from her grasp and clatter onto the icy ground below. Turning his attention to the dark-haired woman lying motionless a few meters away, Alikad felt a surge of conflictingemotions. Clutching his gem tightly, he realized that if he wished for Airella to live, he must depart to unravel the enigma of the woman before him.

Alikad, consumed by the weight of guilt and grief, pondered striking a desperate deal with Conivx, who seemed to possess an otherworldly power. The idea of bargaining for a chance to resurrect Airella, his beloved companion lost to the cruel hands of death, weighed heavily on his heart. The realm beyond Limbo, a place where the veil between the living and the dead grew thin, tantalized his thoughts. While the afterlife beyond Limbo remained a distant and elusive concept, out of reach even for the most skilled reapers, Alikad found a flicker of hope in the possibility that Conivx, with her enigmatic abilities, could somehow breach that ethereal barrier.

Conivx, like Alikad, was a Miscreant and wielded immense power. As a dark enchantress, she fed off the power of others, growing stronger with each life force she absorbed. Perhaps, if Alikad could offer her his own power to feed off of, she could be brought back to life. And in return for this life-giving force, Conivx might do him the favor of bringing Airella back to life as well. The very notion of such a feat seemed preposterous at first glance, especially considering that it was Airella herself who had made the ultimate sacrifice to break him free from Conivx’s grasp.

Now, burdened by the haunting memories of her sacrifice and the void left in her absence, Alikad knew he must do this one thing, even if it meant risking everything to bring her back from the abyss of death. Conivx’s death had already taken its toll on the island, causing it to wither and decay. The once lush and vibrant landscape was now a shadow of its former self, struggling to sustain life without the enchantress’s powerfulpresence. The life of the island and Conivx had an intrinsic connection, with her essence intertwined with every living thing.

As a great sorceress tied to so much life, Conivx had the potential to bring back Airella. But if she refused his request, Alikad was prepared to offer anything, even pledging to stay by her side for eternity. He would do whatever it took to get Airella back, no matter the cost. The thought of Airella’s return, of seeing her smile and hearing her laughter once more, was the only thing that kept him going. Alikad was ready to face any challenge, to confront any danger, if it meant bringing his beloved Airella back to life.

Chapter 42

“You’re going to hate me again…” Alikad whispered into Airella’s ear, gently stroking her cold cheek as Jonathan stared at him with a mix of concern and disbelief, his brow furrowed in worry. “Really, really hate me…”

“What? What are you going to do?” Jonathan’s voice rose with a hint of desperation, the tension between them palpable.

Arii’s sobs of sadness for his sister grew louder, his hands trembling as he watched Alikad’s intense gaze fixed on Conivx’s lifeless form.

“Hopefully with me at her side, she could bring Airella back and leave you be.” Alikad’s words hung in the air, filled with both determination and sorrow as he continued to stare at Conivx, a sense of regret flickering in his eyes. “I can’t save Airella. She’s already long gone. She’s… dead. However, Conivx feeds off of power. If she can feed off of mine, maybe I can convince her to bring Airella back to life.” Alikad’s voice cracked with emotion as he held her limp body tighter, the weight of his helplessness bearing down on him. “I can’t save her, but maybe Conivx can.”

“You can’t be serious! You want to bring Conivx back from death to save Airella? That’s beyond reckless.” Jonathan’s tone was a mix of disbelief and urgency. Tears welled up inhis eyes, and he moved closer to Alikad, empathy and concern etched on his face.

Alikad’s frustration boiled over, his fist slamming into the icy ground, cracks spreading out as a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.

“It’s the only way!” Alikad exclaimed passionately. Conivx had achieved her goal—the humans now resided on the island. With a pointed look at Jonathan, Alikad continued, “She won’t bother you anymore if you play it smart. She has everything she desires, except for one crucial thing. Me.” His words were laced with determination as he recounted the island’s history. “Mortals vanished here long ago as we failed to safeguard them from dwindling too quickly. But now, there’s a thriving community. Should Conivx seek me, she shall have me. Besides, just look around you. When Conivx died, so did the isle. It’s withered away. How will your people survive here? I have to bring her back. I have to try.” With a last glance at Airella’s resting place, Alikad strode purposefully towards Conivx’s still form.

He kneeled beside her, placing his hands on her chest. A dark mist enveloped her, a desperate attempt at rejuvenation. Though lacking healing abilities, Alikad knew the consequences of her draining presence. A Miscreant of her caliber could drain others to heal themselves when in dire need. He felt himself grow weaker as his essence was stolen from him. The wound inflicted by Airella sealed itself as the mist dissipated from Conivx’s body, her breath deepening.

Alikad, taking charge, pulled her to her feet, the greenery around them blooming once more as he held her arm firmly. The island had come back to life alongside Conivx.

A slight gasp resonated from her mouth as she gave Alikad a cocky glare. “You should have left me, my dear,” she threatened, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and amusement.

Alikad raised the blade of his scythe to her throat.

“Don’t test me, Conivx. Bring her back,” Alikad demanded, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with her violet ones. “Do it, or I swear on my life I will brutally end you just to bring you back again, over and over.”

She chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in her eye while nonchalantly brushing the dirt from her shoulder. Her gaze shifted from Airella’s lifeless form to Alikad, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“What is in it for me? If I bring this troublesome girl back from the dead, what shall I have in return?” With a teasing gesture, she raised her hand as if to caress Alikad’s face, but he instinctively pulled away, his expression a mix of reluctance and determination.

“I brought you back to life,” Alikad stated clearly, his voice tinged with frustration.

“I want more. I want you.” Conivx gazed into his golden eyes, her tone dripping with malevolence.

“Why? Father was always doing your dirty work, I see that now, but why keep me locked up for centuries?” Alikad demanded, his confusion morphing into anger.

“I love you, Alikad. You were always meant to be mine.” Conivx spoke honeyed words, yet they carried a sinister undertone.

“Then why never show your face?” Alikad asked, bewilderment clear in his voice.

“I could never get you under control. You were uncontrollable, and almost still are. But now that I have all these human souls, Father grew strong enough to control you and create your gem.” Conivx’s confession was as chilling as it was revealing.

With many questions still lingering, Alikad knew he was running out of time. He also knew the rumors about Conivx’s power—how her life magic was intertwined with the life of the island. Airella’s only chance lay in Conivx’s twisted hands.

“Okay. I’ll go with you.” Alikad’s voice carried a hint of regret, belying the complexity of his emotions. She met his gaze with an evil grin, relishing in the power dynamics at play. “However, there will be ground rules.” With a decisive tone, Alikad pushed her away, his demeanor firm. “First, no harm comes to the humans, at least not until this island is well populated. Second, if anything ever happens to Airella, Jonathan, or Arii, death will come to you. You are to never harm them. Ever. Do you understand?” Alikad concluded, his words echoing in the still night air.

Conivx silently nodded in acknowledgment of the pact being formed, but her eyes sparkled with a sinister glee. She then made her way over to Airella with a gentle yet mysterious aura surrounding her. Softly, she chanted unfamiliar words as she delicately placed her hands on Airella’s chest, as if weaving a delicate thread to reconnect her soul with her body. A wave of relief washed over Alikad as he witnessed Airella’s chest rise with a breath once more.

Yet, the tension between Conivx and Alikad was palpable. He could sense the malevolence behind her every move, thebeauty she wielded like a weapon. Alikad’s eyes never left her, his heart pounding with the realization that he had made a deal with someone who could turn on him at any moment. Conivx’s power was undeniable, but so was the danger she posed. Alikad’s mind raced with the possibilities, each one darker than the last, as the fragile pact they had formed hung in the balance.

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